Tie One On for Breast Cancer Awareness

9/20/2012

It's a sad reality that there are few among us in Southeast Alaska who haven't been touched by cancerous diseases. Talk to any group of women, and they'll share their stories of valiant mothers, sisters, best friends, cousins and grandmothers demonstrating grace and strength beyond measure.

This year, more than 225,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer. Nearly 40,000 women will lose their lives to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable and sobering, but if detected in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan encourages each woman to do their part to ensure early detection. Take the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and talk about the results with your doctor. Create and follow an Early Detection Plan as suggested by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Be proactive for your health and your future.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan invites everyone in the community to join the campaign to encourage early detection during the month of October. Caregivers hope to honor the strength shown by the women they care for by donning Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts and scrubs. And, as it does each year, the Women’s Diagnostic Imaging center will be giving special gift bags to every lady who comes in for a mammogram in October.

For some women, resources may not be available for a mammogram. In order to ensure early diagnosis, the caregivers at PeaceHealth Ketchikan invite you to partner with First City Council on Cancer to make sure that every woman in the community can receive a mammogram when they need one.

You are also invited to show your support by Tying One On in honor of a loved one who has been affected: a survivor, a loved one who is still fighting, or a family friend who lost her battle.

Tie One On Ribbon Ceremony

On October 4, at 5 p.m.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center

Two pink ribbons will be provided for your donation of any amount. On one ribbon the name of your loved one will be added and it will adorn the tree at the main entrance to the hospital, the second can be tied to your vehicle’s rear windshield wiper or antenna. All the ribbons will create a beautiful visual display concern and support across the community.

If you are unable to attend the Tie One On event, you can still add your ribbon anytime throughout the month of October. Stop by the front desk at the hospital, the Women's Health Clinic, or the Twisted Tree in the Plaza for your ribbon and to drop of your donations.

"Cancer has affected so many beautiful people that I know and love," says Gail Jones, PeaceHealth Medical Group Specialty Clinics Manager. "I look forward to the day when cancer no longer plays the grim role in women's lives that it has for so many in this community. Until then, we’re prepared to do what we can to help our local ladies fight until they win!"